My tacoma has a constant shimmy in the steering wheel. My mechanic and Toyota service have tried balancing, alignments and road-force testing, but nothing works to eliminate the shake. It is at it's worst when I first accelerate to cruising speed after the truck has sat for eight hours. At these times it is an approximately a 1/4 inch shimmy in the wheel, and is quite a violent shake. It…
2009 Toyota Tacoma steering problems
severe 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 39 steering complaints filed for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Avoid a 2009 Tacoma unless you inspect the intermediate steering shaft U-joint and power steering system closely—both corrode and fail commonly, creating dangerous loss-of-steering events that dealers acknowledge but Toyota refuses to recall. Even post-recall vehicles may suffer misalignment and steering geometry issues that you'll pay to fix yourself.
The 2009 Tacoma steering system is plagued by two dominant failures that emerge repeatedly across these complaints: corrosion of the intermediate (lower) steering shaft's universal joint, and corrosion of the power steering rack and lines.
The U-joint issue is described uniformly—the exposed joint lacks a boot or grease fitting and corrodes from road salt and moisture, causing the joint to bind and stiffen the steering. Owners first notice intermittent stiffness that progresses to steering locking mid-turn. Multiple owners and dealers confirm this is a well-known, "common" problem. One dealer stated they replace these daily. Repairs run $400–$600.
Power steering rack failure stems from unprotected metal tubing that develops holes and splits. One owner experienced smoke and a burning smell inside the cabin after steering fluid leaked onto the hot engine manifold. Rack replacement costs are high, and Toyota warranty denials are common.
Owners also report losing complete steering control—one vehicle's steering wheel detached during a crash, another became uncontrollable at highway speed. A few describe steering shimmy that persists despite balancing and alignment attempts. Notably, Toyota's frame rust recall (E02) does not include post-repair alignment, even though the recall work causes the rear axle to shift and throws the steering geometry out. One owner had to pay out of pocket to correct thrust angle after the dealer performed the recall. Another owner missed the 12-year recall deadline and was stuck with a corroded vehicle and no coverage. Dealers explicitly acknowledge these failures but refuse recalls, claiming they're not manufacturing defects.
Same Toyota Tacoma steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Intermediate steering shaft (universal joint) corrosion and binding
The U-joint on the intermediate steering shaft corrodes due to lack of protection from weather and road salt. Metal exposure without boot or grease fittings causes rust buildup that binds the joint, making steering extremely stiff or locking up entirely.
When: Reported across a range of mileages from 62,269 to 100,000+ miles; complaints span vehicles owned from 2011 onward
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes very stiff or locks up; Steering wheel does not return to center after turning; Problem occurs intermittently at first, then becomes constant; Occurs at any speed and in any environmental condition; Happens during left or right turns, including low-speed turns; Loss of power steering assist feeling
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing the lower steering shaft or intermediate steering shaft, with repair costs ranging from $400 to $600; dealers acknowledge this is a common problem and perform these replacements daily; some owners temporarily manage the issue by manually cleaning the joint and applying grease or penetrating oil
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledge the problem is common and performed multiple repairs daily; Toyota has not issued a recall; one dealer noted Toyota is aware of the issue but does not consider it a problem; no TSBs or warranty programs mentioned
Power steering rack and line corrosion
The power steering rack, lines, and high-pressure tubes develop severe corrosion, with holes forming in metal tubing and components flaking apart. Corroded lines split open and leak fluid onto the engine manifold, causing smoke and burning smell.
When: One case documented after frame replacement; corrosion occurred within months post-repair; another case at approximately 28,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy smoke and burning smell in cabin; Sudden loss of power steering fluid; Difficulty controlling vehicle; Intermittent loss of power steering assist
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealer replacement of power steering rack, lines, outer tie rods, steering shaft, and alignment at high cost; another case mentioned corrosion so severe pieces were flaking off the rack; owners were not reimbursed for parts by Toyota despite warranty claims
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or warranty coverage documented; one dealership did not detect or address corrosion during frame replacement work the previous year
Steering wheel shimmy and vibration
Persistent vibration or shimmy in the steering wheel that is especially violent upon initial acceleration after the vehicle sits for several hours, then gradually subsides but never fully disappears.
When: Reported after extended parking; affects both all-season and snow tires
Symptoms owners cite: Constant steering wheel shimmy approximately 1/4 inch in amplitude; Most severe when first accelerating to cruising speed after vehicle has sat 8+ hours; Vibration described as violent shake; Vibration persists with different tire sets
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic and Toyota service attempted balancing, alignments, and road-force testing without success
Steering control loss and steering wheel detachment
At least one case of complete steering failure where the steering wheel broke off during a crash at 40 mph, and another case where sudden stiffness caused loss of control during a turn.
When: One case at 28,000 miles; another case at 91,000 miles; reported at highway speeds and during cornering
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of steering control; Steering wheel locked or broke off; Vehicle uncontrollable at any speed
Repairs/costs cited: One case resulted in crash into guard rail; police report filed; vehicle towed to body shop
Misalignment following frame recall repair (E02)
When the rear spring packs are replaced during Toyota safety recall E02 (NHTSA 14V604), the rear axle shifts position. Toyota's recall procedure does not include post-repair alignment, leaving the vehicle misaligned with altered thrust angle and vehicle dynamics.
When: Occurred immediately following E02 rear spring pack replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle no longer tracks straight without counter-steering; Steering response altered; Increased uneven tire wear; Risk of vehicle oversteer during dynamic maneuvers
Repairs/costs cited: Owner documented rear axle shift of -0.15 inches on Hunter ExpressAlign sheet; vehicle required separate alignment at owner expense to correct thrust angle and allow straight-line tracking
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall E02 does not include alignment service; owners expected to bear alignment cost despite the recall work causing the misalignment
Frame rust beyond warranty period and steering damage
Severe frame rust develops in vehicles that passed the recall deadline (12 years from manufacturing date). Corrosion affects not only the frame but also steering components; dealers refuse warranty coverage after recall window closes.
When: One case at 33,348 miles, 19 months of ownership but past the 12-year manufacturing recall window (manufactured 8/20/2009, recall deadline 8/20/2021); owner never received recall notice
Symptoms owners cite: Rusted frame deemed dangerous and unsafe to drive; Steeling U-joint extremely difficult and expensive to replace due to frame rust; Rusted power steering component with hole in bottom
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused coverage citing past recall deadline; U-joint replacement required for safety
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota refused coverage due to 12-year recall time limit; owner was not notified of the recall
Lower control arm weld failure
Welds on the driver-side lower control arm mount failed during hard braking at highway speed, nearly removing the wheel and control arm from the vehicle.
When: Occurred during high-speed braking event
Symptoms owners cite: Wheel and lower control arm nearly detached; Occurred during high-speed hard braking
Steering column noise and bed movement after frame repair
After purchasing the vehicle, owner reported a loud thump from the steering column area upon hitting even small bumps, accompanied by visible bed movement in side mirrors. Dealership claimed they could not reproduce the issue despite it being repeatable.
When: Within weeks of purchase in September 2011; vehicle was still under warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Loud thump from steering column area upon hitting bumps; Visible bed movement in side mirrors; Extremely harsh ride; Issues progressively worsening
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership did not diagnose or repair the issue despite it being under warranty
Steering gear box seal failure
Steering gearbox seal fails, requiring replacement of the rack and pinion assembly.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Steering gearbox seal failure
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement required
Front end wobble
Front end wobble that dealer attempted to address multiple times without resolution.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Front end wobbles
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted to fix at least 3 times without success
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 70,809 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,809; a quarter make it past 103,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Toyota/Tacoma.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.